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Should Webster create a memorial park on Lake Road?

12 Jan

Is it to early to think about a permanent memorial to honor the heroes we lost — and almost lost — on that terrible Christmas Eve morning?  Probably not. It’s a natural next step for a town which continues to grieve, but is slowly beginning to move beyond the tragic events of that day. The fire and the shootings, and the utter senselessness of it all, tore a hole in this community as nothing has ever done before.  And in the years to come, we all need something, or some place, to visit where we can show our respect and our love for those we lost, and — just as importantly — to remember how as a community we not only persevered, but became stronger.

There has been some talk about creating a memorial on Lake Road, at the site of the fires.  That’s an intriguing idea, but not as easy as it might sound.

For starters, the Lake Road families whose homes were destroyed are planning to rebuild, with assistance from the Town of Webster, which is waiving building fees, and local tradesmen and women who have offered their design and construction services.

But how about 191 Lake Road, where the shooter lived?  Webster Town Supervisor Ron Nesbitt explained in a recent email why that’s not an immediate solution, either.  He pointed out that the lot is small and there’s no room for parking.  Plus, the property is likely to be tied up in the courts for a while. “We still don’t know if it was the sister in the fire, and if it was, and she owned the house,” he said. If she did, it’s possible she left it to someone in her will, which would complicate matters further.

“We are waiting a little longer for things to calm down,” Nesbitt added, “then the town, police and West Webster Fire will sit down and plan a proper memorial.”

So eventually there will be a memorial, but the town is proceeding slowly. And that’s a very good idea, because this memorial, more than any other, has to be done right.

 

 

Walk for W. Webster Firefighters raised thousands

11 Jan

Just a quick follow-up this morning on a blog I posted earlier this week.  The folks at Operation Patriot Foundation have informed me that the Walk for West Webster Firefighters which took place last Saturday at Greece Ridge Mall raised $3,574.05.

Yesterday they presented a check for $3,600 (they rounded it up) to the West Webster Fire Department.

Operation Patriot founder Mark Rossney added in an email,

Combined with our initial donation of $1,000 made on Christmas Eve afternoon, we are pleased to have donated $4,600.00 in support of our heroes Lt. Michael Chiapperini, Tomasz Kaczowka, Theodore Scardino and Joseph Hofstetter.

We will continue to offer t-shirts from the walk until Jan. 31 (they will no longer be available after that) and will donate those proceeds in early February. Anyone interested in ordering a t-shirt, you can do so online at http://www.OperationPatriot.org.

We are also pleased to announce that The American First Responder Institute of Heraldry out of Philadelphia, PA has asked us to deliver four “First Responder Service Medals” to the West Webster Fire Department.

It is our privilege and honor to do so.

The logo which appears on the Walk for W. Webster Firefighters t-shirt. Order one for $20 at http://www.operationpatriot.org

Wednesday Webster Mailbag

8 Jan

Time again for another riveting installment of the Webster Blog Mailbag, a potpourri of interesting items that find their way to me through my various email accounts.

A special Family Fun Night at the Bay View Family YMCA this Friday January 11 will benefit the West Webster Fire Department.

From 6-8:30 pm, the Y will have activities set up throughout the building for family members of all ages to enjoy, including the huge inflatable climbing thingy, swimming, crafts, games, snacks and more. Cost is $20 per family, and all proceeds will support the fallen and recovering firefighters of the West Webster Fire Department.  All active first responders, firefighters and their families will be given free admission.

The Bay View Family YMCA is located at 1209 Bay Road, Webster.

* * *

All this month, the Webster Museum is proud to host the Great Lakes Seaway Trail War of 1812 Traveling Exhibit.

This is a beautiful exhibit of 26 quilts newly-made, but true to 1812-period quilting patterns, fabrics and colors.  It includes 20 American-made “cot-to-coffin” quilts from 11 states and six Canadian-made quilts from three provinces. The 30-inch-wide by 70-inch-long sizing represents the average height of a man during the war.  Story cards with each quilt share the factual history represented by the quilt or the imagined tale of a family sending a loved one off to the war.

The exhibit is traveling to quilt shows, museums and historic venues all along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, which follows the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Niagara River and Lake Erie in New York and Pennsylvania. Much of the War of 1812 was fought along this strategic freshwater shoreline.

Check out the exhibit yourself from January 6-20 at the Webster Museum. They’re open from 12-4 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. If you’d like to see the exhibit at some other time, call (585) 265-3308 to arrange a tour. There is no admission cost, but donations will be gratefully accepted, a portion of which will be donated to the West Webster Firefighter Fund of the Webster Community Chest.

* * *

The Webster Thomas Titans Hockey Team is hosting its first “Honor our Heroes” game on Friday Jan. 11 against division rival Victor. Thomas players will wear unique camouflage jerseys as a part of the team’s effort to honor all service members (including women and men in the military, first responders including firefighters, police officers, and EMTs).

The action starts at 5:30 pm at the Webster Ice Arena, 865 Publisher’s Parkway, Webster. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for seniors and students. Current military and veterans, as well as first responders will be admitted free of charge with ID. The team will also be running a 50/50 raffle, selling the team’s camouflage jerseys and collecting donations. All proceeds will benefit the CDS Monarch Warrior Salute program.

* * *

Finally, I wanted to pass along my personal congratulations on the engagement of one Webster’s nicest young couples, Jonathan Smalter and Kristine Rinebold of Yesterday’s Muse Books.  They officially announced the happy news in the shop’s most recent e-newsletter.

I’d like to sign off with the following, which Jonathan also wrote in that newsletter in response to the terrible events of Christmas Eve. I thought it was poignant and beautiful and perfect; words we should all live by.

Objectively, one might think that tragedies like these leave one feeling empty, in doubt of humanity, or frightened of the future. That’s certainly understandable. But having gone through this as part of the Webster community, I must say that I don’t feel that way at all. This has shown me how strong we are as a society. We show our greatest strength in the times of greatest adversity. Each time we are knocked down, we pick ourselves up and stand taller. With loss comes a greater understanding of what we have, and what is truly important.

Loss also helps us realize how lucky we are. … I gave several toasts during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations with family, acknowledging how fortunate we were to be together for the holidays, and to have these happy moments to look forward to. I’m not generally one for New Year’s resolutions, but this year I think I’ll resolve to alter my perspective a bit, whether that means realizing my problems are small in the grand scheme of things, or that the simple pleasures which sometimes seem small are actually among our greatest possessions.

 

Mall walk benefited West Webster firemen

6 Jan

A charity walk drew an estimated 300-400 people from all over the county to the Greece Ridge Mall on Saturday morning to raise money for West Webster firefighters.

The walk was organized by the Operation Patriot Foundation, a group dedicated to paying tribute to first responders, and to raise funds to support them.

The event was intended to bring the community together for a one-lap walk around the mall to honor firefighters Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka, who lost their lives on Christmas Eve; and Ted Scardino, Joe Hofstetter and John Ritter, who were injured.  It was also designed, of course, to raise money for the West Webster Volunteer Fireman’s Association. The effort raised funds through walker registrations and t-shirt sales.  A final total is not yet available, since donations are still coming in, but the folks at Operation Patriot expect it to be more than $3500.

If you’re still interested in purchasing a t-shirt, by the way, you can order one for $20 through the Operation Patriot website.

I could not attend the walk myself, so am very grateful to Kim Runnells for acting as my blog photographer for the event. She took some great photos. A few of them are posted here, and the rest are posted in a gallery on my Facebook page. Just click on any of the photos to go there.

By the way, if you haven’t heard the news yet, Joe and Ted have both been released from the hospital. May they have a speedy recovery.

 

A heartfelt thank you from the West Webster FD

4 Jan

West Webster Fire District Chief James Deisenroth posted this blog yesterday. If you haven’t seen it yet, I am pleased to share it with you now. I am so very proud to be a part of this community, and proud to call Webster my home.

Thank You Message from Chief Deisenroth

The West Webster Fire District family would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to our loving and caring community. We are enormously overwhelmed with the generosity of each and every one of you and as unbelievably amazing as you have all been, we should not be surprised. We have witnessed the true meanings of honor, community, brother and sisterhood, and family. Our family extends well beyond our firehouse and our community well beyond Webster!

To thank you all for each and every gift of love you have given would be impossible as we are still learning of the many ways people have shown and continue to show their support. You have visited our home with cards, monetary gifts, food and drinks, flowers, candles, teddy bears, plaques, hand-crafted crosses, drawings, and even coffee and treats from Abbott’s. Facebook Groups have been formed by many to show support, share comforting words and pictures, and even arrange for transportation and housing for the funeral services. We notice signs in front yards and we see your flags are lowered. We notice when you tell us to be safe and we know those words hold more weight than anyone could ever explain. We appreciate each and every person who stood outside to watch the funeral processions and every vehicle that stopped on the side of the road. We saw flags waving, people saluting, hands over hearts, and we have seen so many tears. Each and every one of you not only reminded us but also taught us what it truly means to be a strong and loving community.

Brothers and sisters came from all over, including other countries, to pay their respects and to share in our grief. Each and every one of you not only reminded us but also taught us what Brotherhood/Sisterhood truly means.

You have prayed for us and with us and we know that you will continue to pray, as will we.

“Thank you” doesn’t begin to express our appreciation to all of you. Please know that the good you have all shown will always be remembered and cherished by all of us. You have truly honored our brothers!

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the various media outlets for respecting the wishes of the families through this difficult time. We appreciate them working with us to make sure the highest level of respect was shown during all of the events that they attended.

May you all have a safe and happy 2013.

James Deisenroth
District Chief
West Webster Fire District

More ways to show your support

2 Jan

You could almost hear the collective groan yesterday morning as everyone dragged themselves out of bed and into the new year. That was especially true for students and teachers, who all enjoyed so much more than a long weekend.  Still, I sensed that more than a few people were ready to put a very distressing 2012 holiday season behind them and start looking forward again.

But this community is far from done thinking about and talking about the awful shootings on Christmas Eve.  Just today I found out about a few new opportunities for community members to show their support.

The first is a Walk for West Webster Firefighters, this Saturday January 5, sponsored by the Operation Patriot Foundation.  The walk will be held within the warm confines of the Mall at Greece Ridge. Registration for the walk will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 9:15. A minimum donation of $5 per person is requested. The first 100 participants who donate $20 or more will receive a free event T-shirt. Children 12 and under are free.

Funds raised will be donated to the West Webster Volunteer Fireman’s Association. For more information, click here.

And I found this very interesting:  An online petition has been established urging the Obama administration to award the Medal of Freedom to the four firefighters who were ambushed in West Webster.

The petition reads:

On December 24th, 2012 four West Webster Firefighters responded to a call of a vehicle/house fire. As they arrived they were ambushed by a lone gunman. Lt. Mike Chiapperini and Firefighter Tomasz Kaczowka were killed on scene. Firefighters Joseph Hofsetter and Theodore Scardino both received life altering injuries which will require months of rehabilitation. These brave men were volunteers answered the call for assistance at 5:30 in the morning.

These brave men were ambushed by a coward. For their sacrifices, their willingness to help their fellow man they all should be honored with the Medal of Freedom.

If you would like to “sign” the petition, click here. You have to register on the petition’s website before it will record your signature, but that’s easy and quick.

I also got this press release from the Webster Community Chest, reminding us that they are still collecting donations through January 31:

The Webster Community Chest is continuing to accept monetary (only) donations for the families affected by the 12/24 tragedy on Lake Road. Checks may be written out to the Webster Community Chest and mailed to 1000 Ridge Road, Webster, NY 14580. On the memo line please write: 12/24. Credit Card donations are also being taken through our web site at http://www.webcommchest.org. Please indicate that your donation is for 12/24.

All donations earmarked for these families will be given to these families, in addition to Webster Community Chest needs based assistance. If you have any questions you may call the Webster Community Chest at (585)671-2060 or you may visit our website at http://www.webcommchest.org

 

How tragedy brings a community together

31 Dec

Today, as we lay to rest young Tomasz Kaczowka, we come together as a community one last time, and hopefully begin to put this tragedy behind us.

But it’s not going to be that easy. That was obvious yesterday after Michael Chiapperini’s funeral procession passed the West Webster Fire House. Even well after the last bus had rounded the corner toward the cemetery, people still hadn’t started to disperse.  Our hearts were still bursting with love for these men that we needed to express.  There were still so many more tears to be shed.  We did not want this feeling of community — of family — to ever end.

And if any positive has come out of this awful event, it is that it has drawn the greater Webster community much closer together. My friend Kathy Saunders summed it quite well yesterday, when she said, “Even though Webster’s grown so big, it still feels like a small town.”

These last few days, as we all wrestled with the same feelings and sense of purpose, we were no longer strangers. As shoppers passed in the aisles of Wegmans, they nodded to each other. Dozens of Barry’s Old School Irish patrons stepped up to help with final preparations for the candlelight vigil. People are performing random acts of kindness for perfect strangers, first responders or not.  Everyone is being just a bit more patient and understanding in everything they do and with everyone they meet.

And because we all feel this strong bond with our community, and our fallen heroes, everyone wants to do something to help honor our two family members.  In my position as a blogger, I have been fortunate to have the important role of communicating information. Being able to write blogs and post regular updates on Facebook has given me a purpose, and has helped me work through my grief.

In many ways, the terrific Facebook page Prayers and Support for Webster Firefighters does the same for everyone else. It is a public place to express grief, post photos and videos, and give thanks, and it will make you cry. If you haven’t discovered it yet, please check it out. But in the meantime, here’s a sampling of some of the postings you’ll find there, which come from all over the country:

My daughter (Rochelle) works at Applebee’s here in Concord, NC. While working tonight she was talking with a customer who ordered a Labatt’s blue. She said “You don’t happen to be from up North are you?” The man answers “Yes, from Syracuse.” My daughter tells him we are from Rochester/Webster area. “He says, so you know all about the WWFD?” “Oh yes, ” my daughter says. The man says, Do you see the person over there?” He is pointing to another customer with our EMT uniform on. He says, “Here is $50.00. Don’t tell him where it came from.” — Melanie Secore DiBenedetto

* * *

I am a member of the Selden FD from Selden, NY on Long Island and just returned home tonight. Words cant even describe how humbled I am from the generosity and kindness from the people of Webster. Every where we went people thanked us for coming “to our town”. Hugs handshakes and even some tears were exchanged. To the two anonymous parties who paid our meals I can’t thank you enough. As I look back I still feel that wasn’t necessary. I wish I could been able to thank those people in person. Now I want to thank the Town of Webster for allowing my brothers and myself to be apart of honoring two heroes “Chip” and Tomasz. It was an experience I will never forget. The love and support shown to the West Webster FD from that town was amazing. I wish I could have visited your town on better terms. Some of us are planning to visit another time on better terms. Thank you again! And to my fallen brothers “Rest easy brothers we got it from here.” — Jonathan Barnett

* * *

I work at a Wegmans…for the past several days, I have personally witnessed several instances of kindness. When a fireman wearing a west Webster coat would be in line buying groceries, another customer would pay for them. When one of them was in line for coffee, i saw an employee jump in front of him to pay….I’ve seen random customers walk up to volunteers and give them hugs…the eyes of more than one of us welled up with tears.. — Lynn Watterson

* * *

Living in West Webster at this moment reminds me that humanity is kind and caring and our community is incredible! I am so touched by how people have paid for hotel rooms for complete strangers many out of the town first responders, and family, food and bottled water donated non stop from many businesses and individuals, people gathering for candle light and a moment of silence, standing ovation to first responders entering places, but most of all hugs and understanding by many that this has affected so many within our community and beyond! — Kim Corpus

Finally, I leave you with three videos which I made from yesterday’s funeral procession.

The first is a slide show of the photos I took at the procession. The second is a video of the procession itself.  The third is a short video of comments from some of the people at the procession about why they decided to attend.

If you’d just like to see a Facebook gallery of photos, click here.

 

Information about today’s events

30 Dec

Here are some details about today’s events:

Funeral services for Past Chief Mike Chiapperini will be held today at Webster Schroeder High School, 875 Ridge Road, at noon. Attendees are encouraged to car pool as much as possible. The general public should utilize the parking lot at Schroeder High School, or if filled, the east end of the Webster Town Center, 1028 Ridge Road, Webster. Buses will be provided on a continual basis to Schroeder. Overflow parking will be available at Thomas High School, 800 Five Mile Line Road, with transportation to services provided.

There will be no public procession to the cemetery at the end of services, but community members are invited to join their friends and neighbors as we line the procession route from Schroeder to the cemetery on Maple Road in West Webster.  I found out about this effort from Debbie McCabe, who wrote,

Bystanders can wave banners/flags or simply show their support by lining the procession route.  Parking could probably be found at the movie theater, the Visiting Nurse Service, or Abbotts.  Timing is somewhat tenuous at this point, however 1:15 – 1:30 is a reasonable estimate -the memorial service is slated to start at noon and the procession will make a final pass by the firehouse before heading to Maple.

Immediately following the funeral today, the Webster Police Department is hosting a lunch reception at the Webster Thomas High School Field House, 800 Five Mile Line Road.  The reception is OPEN to the PUBLIC.  Food service starts at 2:15 PM.

I have been unable to find out whether the PD still needs help serving or cleaning up after the lunch, but a lot of people are just going to show up to be on hand if help is needed.

 

 

Trying to keep on top of this weekend

30 Dec

So much is happening so fast this weekend. Reports are coming in fast and furious about funeral arrangements, volunteer opportunities, businesses stepping forward to provide goods and services, hotel rooms being paid for, random acts of kindness of all shapes and sizes.

I know that a lot of people rely on my blog to report on what’s happening around town, and I have been trying my best in the last few days to do that.  But if I wrote a blog each time I heard about another wonderful thing happening in our community this weekend, I’d be posting three blogs an hour.

So what I will try to do, instead, is post updates on my Webster Blog Facebook page.  I know that not everyone is on Facebook, so I will try to gather some of the more important notes into a blog tomorrow morning.

In the meantime, I do want to bring a few things to your attention:

Click here to read the beautiful story in this morning’s D&C by Tiffany Lankes about yesterday’s calling hours.

Click here to see the Prayers and Support for Webster Firefighters Facebook page, which has become a clearinghouse for requests for donations of time and goods.

And you gotta see this: 13WHAM is preparing an end-of-year retrospective, and has posted a preview of the part about the Webster tragedy.  It is very moving. See it here.

 

Another way you can show your support

30 Dec

I just found out about another great way people can help show their support for our fallen firefighters. Debbie McCabe sent me this email:

I have been made aware of another avenue for the Webster Community to pay their respects to Lt. 7Chiapperini. Community members have been requested to line the route of the funeral procession that will take on Sunday from Schroeder High School to the cemetery on Maple Road. Bystanders can wave banners/flags or simply show their support by lining the procession route. Parking could probably be found at the movie theatre, the VNA, or Abbotts. Timing is somewhat tenuous at this point, however 1:15 – 1:30 is a reasonable estimate -the memorial service is slated to start at noon and the procession will make a final pass by the firehouse before heading to Maple.

I will be there.

Please continue to let me know of other ways people can help — especially non-monetary ways — so I can pass them onto the community at large.

P.S.  I also just saw an email from Principal Glenn Widor at Webster Thomas High School which touched my heart and I wanted to pass along:

The Webster Central School District family is keeping the loved ones of Lt. Michael Chiapperini and Webster Thomas graduate Tomasz Kaczowka in our thoughts and prayers following the tragic events on Christmas Eve.

 At the request of Lt. Chiapperini’s and Tomasz Kaczowka’s families, our district is honored to open its doors to the community – and the nation.   This weekend, both high school buildings will provide a place for our community to gather, mourn, and begin to heal, following the unthinkable events that occurred just a few days ago. We salute Webster’s fallen heroes – Lt. Mike and Tomasz — and the legacy of public service and selflessness they leave to their loved ones and our community.

 This Sunday, Webster Thomas is hosting a meal in the Field House after the funeral service for Lt Michael Chiapperini at Schroeder. 

Wegmans is donating all the food. (Wow.) A follow-up email indicated that he had a tremendous response to his call for helpers to set up and clean up, but this would be a great chance to gather with people from all over our town, the state, the nation, and the world, and start to heal.

email me at missyblog@gmail.com

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